Blending architectural influences: Superhome
Architectural designer and Superhome co-founder Bob Burnett and his wife, Japanese architect Shizuka Yasui, naturally chose the best of both New Zealand and Japanese influences when designing their own family home in Broad Oaks on Christchurch’s Port Hills.
The multi-award-winning house served as a Superhome show home until the second Christchurch earthquake in February 2011. Repairs were delayed over the last nine years but have now been completed and the home is better than ever.
The Superhome Movement focused initially on new homes, however it also recognises the crucial importance of renovations and upgrading.
“Even new, a home built to New Zealand Building Code produces seven times the carbon emissions required to meet the Paris agreement which aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” says Bob. “We can’t solve climate change and the biodiversity emergency by only building better new buildings. It is essential that we fix the existing building stock, too.”
Superhome features:
- Super-insulated with a warm roof and external wall insulation
- Warmcore windows from Weathershield Windows
- Shading devices added for protection from overheating
- Ventilation, MVHR system for improved internal air quality (IAQ)
- Renewable energy and storage, Solar PV and batteries
- Rainwater recycling
